Chatham Artillery Punch

Whiskey · Punch bowl

Savannah, Georgia's notorious militia punch — rye, cognac, rum, Champagne, and cold tea spiked with lemon juice and citrus peels. Old saying: 'tastes like lemonade, hits like a brick.'

GlassPunch bowl
GarnishNone
ABV20%
Categorybatched
Flavorhistoric, sparkling, batched, southern

Ingredients

  • Rye Whiskey10 oz
  • Cognac10 oz
  • Jamaican Dark Rum10 oz
  • Fresh Lemon Juice8 oz
  • Sugar1 cup
  • Lemon Peels6 pieces
  • Cold Green Tea8 oz
  • Champagne1 bottle
  • Lemon Wheels6 pieces
  • Large Ice Block1 piece

Method

  1. Steep lemon peels in sugar 2 hours, add lemon juice, rye, cognac, and rum
  2. Rest covered in fridge at least 24 hours (ideally 48)
  3. At service, pour over large ice block in punch bowl
  4. Top with cold Champagne and green tea
  5. Garnish with lemon wheels and cherries; yields 12 servings

Pro Tips

  • The 24-hour rest isn't optional — undrinkable at first, transcendent the next day.
  • Don't add Champagne until service; it goes flat within an hour in a punch bowl.
  • Warn your guests — it drinks like lemonade and walks like whiskey.